Panda Security Releases 2017 Predictions Report

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PandaLabs presents a list of what to expect from the cyber-security sector in the coming months; the decline in new malware and the increased professionalization of attacks will set the tone in cyber-security for next year; PandaLabs ranks the most popular attacks of the year, analyzing their evolution and taking a look at the cybernetic threats that 2017 has in store.

Panda Security encourages victims [of ransomware] to keep in mind that paying the ransom does not guarantee the total recovery of stolen data.

As far as cyber-security goes, a year replete with high-profile attacks that have jeopardized large corporations and private users is now over. Ransomware attacks from Petya, Trojans such as Gugi for Android, the spyware Pegasus, PunkeyPOS, or large-scale attacks targeting point of sale terminals as well as the recent DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks have affected large organizations and international communication networks.

The full predictions report can be download on the Panda media center here. Below is a sampling of what to expect in the coming months:

Cyber-Crime
Cyber-criminals focus their efforts on those attacks which can rake in the most profit, using more effective tactics and professionalizing their operations in a way that allows them to make quick and easy money in an efficient manner.

Ransomware
This Trojan Horse will take center stage with regards to cyber-security and will cannibalize other more traditional attacks that are based on data theft. The pursuit of profit is the primary motivation of cyber-criminals, and ransomware is the simplest and most effective way to achieve this. Some things never change: victims of this hijacking malware will have to decide whether to pay, or not, to recover their data. Panda Security encourages victims to keep in mind that paying the ransom does not guarantee the total recovery of stolen data.

Companies
The number of attacks directed at corporations will increase, as these attacks become more and more advanced. Companies are already the prime target of cyber-criminals, as their information is more valuable than that of private users.

Internet of Things (IoT)
The next cyber-security nightmare. The technological revolution has ushered in the complete integration of smaller devices into the grid, which can be converted into entryways into corporate networks.

DDoS Attacks
The final months of 2016 witnessed the most powerful DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks in history. These attacks were carried out by bot networks that relied on thousands of affected IoT devices (IP cameras, routers, etc.). 2017 will see an increase in this kind of attack, which is typically used to blackmail companies or to harm their business (by blocking web access, online shopping, etc.).

Mobile Phones
Focusing on one single OS makes it easier for cyber-criminals to fix a target with maximal dissemination and profitability. Android users will get the worst of it in the next 12 months.

Cyber-war
The precarious situation with regard to international relations can have huge — and serious — consequences in the field of cyber-security. Governments will want access to still more information (at a time when encryption is becoming more popular), and intelligence agencies will become still more interested in obtaining information that could benefit industry in their countries. A global situation of this kind could hamper data sharing initiatives in the next year.

Panda Security is the world's leading cloud-based IT security solutions and management & control tools. Initially centered on creating antivirus software, the company has since expanded its line of business to advanced cyber-security services. Panda Security directs their actions towards the corporate business market as well as for home users. Their solutions are available in more than 23 languages for their 30 million users in 190 countries worldwide. For more information: http://www.pandasecurity.com/